Improving Attitudes and Interactions with Animals
Young people learn about and develop attitudes towards animals from a variety of sources, including from their family, television, movies, books, art and even video games. These influences can also shape their attitudes and behaviours towards animals. Information that is inaccurate or promotes inappropriate behaviour towards animals can harm both the young person’s bond with animals and the well-being of the animals themselves.
As educators, you can foster compassionate, respectful interactions with animals by promoting empathy, critical thinking, and responsible care.
How Teachers Can Promote Positive Attitudes
Use Students’ Existing Knowledge
Help students differentiate between positive and negative interactions with animals by starting with what students already believe or assume to be true. Encourage students to examine media messages critically. For example, show a cartoon where an animal is unharmed despite being in a dangerous situation, then guide a discussion. Activities like this can teach children to question misconceptions about animals and learn more humane ways of treating animals in real life.
See our tips on choosing animal-themed books for more ways to build knowledge and positive attitudes towards animals using books and other media.
Foster Empathy Through Connection
Help students see similarities between themselves and animals. Research has shown that empathy grows if focus is placed on similarities first and differences later. Use “perspective taking,” activities, also known as cognitive empathy – the ability to put themselves into someone else’s position to understand what they are likely feeling or thinking. This can change how people perceive animals and promote positive interactions between them.
Address Harmful Behaviours
If teachers witness students handling animals roughly or being unkind to wildlife, they should intervene. Be sure to pull the student aside for a conversation, explaining that the behaviour was inappropriate and why.
Use these moments to focus on the concepts of animal sentience, respect and perspective taking. Emphasize that animals can experience emotions like fear, pain, and joy and that they deserve to be treated with kindness.
Ask questions like:
How might they feel if they were that animal?
Would you like to be treated the way the animal was? Why not?